All The Reasons Why Dating A Nerd Isn't So Bad

I'm a nerd... but not the type of nerd who sits at home and plays video games with nerdy friends every night of the week. (Although, I did stay in this entire weekend and watch TV with my dog.) I am a nerd in the more general sense of the word.

According to Merriam-Webster, a nerd is “a person who is very interested in technical subjects, computers, etc.” Now, that doesn't sound so bad, does it?

That's me. Ever since I was a young girl, I've always been intellectually stimulated. By 2 years old I was reading, by fourth grade I was winning county and state spelling bees and by fifth grade I was winning state essay contests.

But I'm not saying all this to prove I'm the next Bill Gates or anything. I'm saying it because, in today's appearance-obsessed day and age (which I admit falling prey to quite often), I think intelligence is a quality often overlooked when considering a significant other.

Nerdy guys have a lot to bring to the table, and you might not want to be so quick to rule them out. Here's why:

Nerds know a lot about a lot.

If you're like me, you get bored pretty quickly. I like new adventures, and I'm always trying to learn new things.

With that being said, you can learn a lot from a smart guy. Whether he's into computer science or rocket science, I'm sure he has a wealth of new, interesting information that he can share with you if you're willing to listen.

You can learn a lot from a smart guy.

And who wants to go on a date, only to have another boring conversation? Go for the guy who might not look like Channing Tatum but can definitely keep you entertained and engaged for a night.

Nerds are generally good guys.

Of course, the keyword here is generally.

To see what I mean, here's a challenge: Think of as many nerds as you can whom you've met throughout your life. How many of them have been bad guys? Not many, right? And how many have been good, nice guys? Probably most of them.

Nerds possess a certain innocence that is really refreshing. Sure, there's always going to be the allure of the “bad boy,” but when it comes time to settle down with someone, it definitely doesn't hurt to know they're a nice person deep down.

Nerds come up with really good gift ideas.

Who doesn't love a great gift? Personally, I love surprises. It's not always easy to pull off a smooth surprise, but when it's done right, it goes a long way.

Smart men are good at this stuff, ladies! Their brains are naturally high functioning, and they're used to getting things done effectively, so pulling off a surprise gift is a piece of cake for them.

Nerds are great listeners.

While a lot of other guys are sitting at the dinner table thinking about ways to get you back to their apartment ASAP, nerds are listening to you, and they're actually processing what you're saying.

Nerds are listening to you, and they're actually processing what you're saying.

Know what that means? They're the guys who will remember your favorite color rose and what your favorite TV show is. They're also the ones you can talk to about anything because they'll listen with open ears.

And what's even better? Since they're smart, they'll probably give you great, sound advice when you need it.

Nerds aren't just book smart — they're emotionally smart, too.

When we think of nerds, we immediately think of nose-picking, bifocal-wearing dweebs that just aren't “cool.” We'd never go to a party with them because they just wouldn't know how to behave, right?

Not so fast. A 2013 study published in Social Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience suggests quite the opposite. According to the study, emotional intelligence rises with your IQ.